Disclaimer: I don't own anything here, just an idea, but trust me you can't get anything from that! Leave me to live in fiction

Summary: Donna starts working for the White house as the Press secretary. She had no idea that her first statement will have to be about her getting a job without proper education. She tells them a story. And Josh watches…lousy summary, just give it a chance.

Thanks to:

Kursk – Edie is just digging her own grave. :) don't you worry.

kasluvsg1 – trust me-the interaction will come soon

cabooklover21 – well, thanks! I'm glad you think I did something with the character that is better than in the show.:)

KristyP – Thank you so much! Yeah, I agree, the show is lacking some personal stuff, but I hope they will add some more in future episodes. The tension is unbearable.

Joy – thanks a lot

lady-peaches – glad you liked it! Hope you'll enjoy this

dietcherryemma – don't worry, the event is comming soon

soozy87 – enjoy this chapter as well!

mhcrose311 – I'm so glad you noticed the connection. I loved that episode. It was so sweet! Thanks!

Challah – Glad you like Helen! And I hope you'll like her here as well.

actress43 – I predict for Helen to play an important role with Donna, don't worry.

miss jasadin – Glad you liked it! Promise the Mr.S/Donna interaction in the next chapter.

SARAnNICK4EVA – well, fellow Snickeret, I'm glad you're enjoying this story also!

Chapter 8 – Emotional discomfort

White house

C.J. waited for Donna to answer before letting herself in. In fact she was just prolonging the moment.

"Come in, Carol" - she heard Donna's voice.

"Hi, it's me." - C.J. poked her head inside.

Donna instinctively started to move papers around her desk, not wanting C.J. to see her face. She wasn't crying, but her face was showing pain and emotional discomfort. The conversation with Eddie really got to her, even more than she was thinking it was possible.

"Yeah, yeah...come in. What can I do for you?"

C.J. sat down trying to look calm. But Donna's face really didn't help with that guilty feeling she had.

"Well, I just came by to see how you were doing. I remember that I threw up after my first conference." - C.J. laughed bitterly. Of course that wasn't the truth, and Donna knew that. That was the first time Donna looked at her since she came in.

"Come on, C.J. We both know that's not true. What's going on?"

"I should probably be the one asking that question. You don't look good."

Donna ran her fingers through her hair, trying to fix her appearance.

"Nothing."

C.J. didn't buy that for a second, but she remembered that Donna had to make a very important phone call. She had to call someone from Santos's campaign, and she was afraid she might have spoken with Josh.

"Did you talk to Josh?" - she asked bluntly causing Donna to roll her eyes.

"Well, although he is usually to blame when I look like hell, this is not that time. I haven't talked to him. Not directly anyway."

"What happened?" - C.J. asked forgetting the reason why she came in there. Her curiosity got the best of her.

"I talked to Josh's deputy. She pointed out to me that no one there cared for what I said today."

"I don't believe that. - C.J. shook her head, but that she caught Donna's serious look. - "She told you that? Well, what kind of politicians are they! This was big news! A new White house secretary thanked their campaign manager for her life and career after he gave her a chance even if she had no experience! That is news if I ever saw
one!" - C.J. stopped herself seeing how her words were of no help to Donna.

"Thanks for the recap. Well, I guess they have a different policy. It's not important. It's
even for the better." - she tried to smile but failed miserably.

"Yeah, that much is obvious."

"Look, I don't need to hear another speech how Josh's opinion means too much to me. It's repetitive." - Donna answered back. They already had the same conversation, and se didn't want to hear it again.

"I didn't mean it like that." - she paused looking straight into Donna's eyes trying to make a point. - "Still, I don't believe in that for a second. We both know Josh. That is a man who gets excited and worried about the wrong color of a schedule program."

"Well, I guess things changed." - Donna fired back, but stopped herself, afraid she will say something she might regret later. - "Let's not talk about that. What did you need?"

C.J. wished she never entered Donna's office in he first place, even if she still had the intension to apologize. It was just that this little introduction to their conversation didn't really go very well.

And she knew that nothing would change Donna's mind now about Josh and their relationship. Donna was in a specific state of mind and no matter what she said, it wouldn't' have desired effect. But that didn't mean she was giving up. It simply meant she will have to find another solution. She looked at Donna' eyes and realized she was still waiting for an answer.

"Oh, nothing. I was just talking to Carol and decided to drop by."

Donna nodded even if she was still a little suspicious. It was obvious that C.J. wanted to say something, but changed her mind. However, considering where their conversation was heading she was glad she decided to drop it. It was a stressful day and she just wanted to be alone. Just than she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Carol poked her head trying to see if it was alright for her to enter. Since both of them appeared normal, she figured that C.J. chickened out.

"Here you go. The guest list."

Donna looked perplexed. She took out the binder from her drawer.

"I already have the guest list."

Carol glanced from Donna to C.J. and back to Donna. A simple motion which told C.J. something was going on.

"Yeah, well, there's been a change. We got another RVSP."

Donna shook her head.

"You see, I don't understand why people wait to the last minute to confirm. I mean, it's the White house party, not the trip to the ZOO."

C.J. just snorted.

"Well, not a lot different."

Donna had to smile as she turned her attention back to Carol.

"What's the change?" - she took the paper from Carol's hand.

"Only one change."

"Who?" - C.J. asked seeing how Carol was evasive. But before she had the chance to respond Donna caught the name on the paper.

"Helen Santos."

Santos's house

Helen Santos was getting ready for bed thinking about today's events.
If someone told her when she woke up that morning, that she will spend the day trying to figure out Josh Lyman, she wouldn't believe him. Better yet, she would have him committed.

"Maybe, I should be committed" - she muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" - Matt asked coming out of the bathroom.

"Oh, nothing." - she quickly responded. They climbed into the bed together and just as Helen was about to shut the lights, Matt caught her hand.

"So, my dear, care to explain what was that today?"

"I don't know what you mean." - she smiled sweetly. Again, she tried
to turn off the lights, but Matt stopped her once again.

"I think you do. Now, as mush as I appreciate the affection you showed in the meeting room...by the way, I would stand for you two days in the snow too..:"

"I've never mentioned the snow, just the cold. I would never stand in the snow for you, are you crazy?" - she smirked.

"Nice try, but you're not changing the conversation. Now, as much as I appreciate what you said..."

"I was sweet, wasn't I?" - she smiled again.

"You were full of it." - Matt chuckled.

"Now, that wasn't very nice, Mr. Presidential candidate."

"Why won't you tell me what you're doing?" - he was now whining causing Helen to pat his hand.

"Seriously, Matt, there's nothing important going on. I'm just doing my part."

"Meaning, you're not going to tell me?"

"Exactly."

Matt thought about it and decided to push a few more buttons.

"Well, are you going to tell me why you were watching Inauguration tapes in Leo's office?"

Helen blushed but she didn't put down her guard. Nevertheless, she was sure that no one besides Ronna saw her and she promised her that she will stay quiet. And she was certain she stayed that way.

"Who told you that?"

"Edith Ortega. She asked if something was going on."

Helen's face became more serious. That woman was prying and that much was obvious.

"And why didn't she go through Josh? She's his deputy..." – her thoughts were puzzled. – "Well, honey, trust me, there's nothing going on. Who else knows that
I've been looking at those tapes?"

She was worried that Josh found out, and she really didn't want him knowing that. Not yet anyway. She only watched one of them, but that was enough to see another face of Josh Lyman. Completely another face. She was afraid if he found out about that, that he will close up; even if she thought that wasn't possible. He was already pushing everyone out.

Matt looked at her observing her face. Her thoughts were reflecting in her eyes, and he decided he won't push any further.

"No one knows but me. And Leo, I guess, considering he gave you those to see. So, was anything interesting on them?"

"Oh, interesting doesn't even cover it." - she thought. She smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Not really. Well, I have to get my beauty sleep for tomorrow. Good
night, honey."

She reached up for the light and shut it down. This time, Matt didn't stop her.

Santos's headquarters

Josh was sitting behind his desk not really doing anything productive. Most of his staff already went home, so he stared at some dot on the wall. He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice Leo standing on the doorway.

"How you're doing, kid?" – Leo asked causing Josh to look up.

"Leo…what are you still doing here? Everyone went home."

"Everyone, but you." – he paused taking in his rumpled appearance. – "Anyway, I was on my way out, and I saw that your lights are still on. Glad to see your doors are still open."

"Yeah, they are…" – Josh's eyes found that dot again. The door may have been opened, but the people in front of those doors weren't his.

Leo entered the office and sat down, his eyes never leaving Josh.

"So, some day today."

"Yeah…"

Leo found himself in an awkward situation. He tried to reach Josh's eyes, but without luck. He was actually feeling Josh slipping from his life. He sighed, but still no reaction. Finally he decided that open approach was the best."

"Donna really surprised you, hasn't she?"

That seemed to get his attention, but not the one he expected. Josh's eyes showed anger.

"So, you also think I put her down all those years, and that I never gave her a chance, considering that she's that good. I always knew she was good!"

Leo knew the reason Donna left; and that had nothing to do with what Josh was talking about. Sure, she was telling him how he put her down, but he also knew that she doesn't really think that. She was just hurt. She was so close to real love, the one when you know that someone loves you back. And she was just hurt that things stayed the same after Gaza. She wouldn't have thanked him otherwise.

"I didn't mean that she surprised you with the way she handled herself in the Press room. I mean that she surprised you with what she said about you."

Josh felt kind of stupid, but his conversation with Donna played in his mind over and over again. He was hearing how she blamed him for her slow progress in career, and how he wasn't giving her enough chances. That was the main reason her words surprised him. He knew she was good enough to do the job. He didn't have to respond to Leo's question; Leo saw it in his eyes.

"Did you talk to her?"

Josh just shook his head and looked down. His face was like an opened book and Leo decided to read it out loud.

"You wanted to call her, right? Why didn't you?"

"It wouldn't be a good idea. She's busy."

"She's busy? That's your answer?" – Leo raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, she's busy, and she needs to focus on her work. I can't… meddle in that."

Leo snorted feeling his anger rising. He had a lot of opinions about Josh, but he never thought he was a coward.

"And you think she wouldn't take your call because, what, she's busy?" – it was obvious in Leo's voice he wasn't buying it.

"I don't want to find out." – Josh whispered adding all of his emotions in the sentence. He didn't want to hear Carol's voice telling him, how Donna can't come to the phone because she's busy.

Leo watched this man he considered his son, and he felt all of the pain that was coming out of him.

"Personally, I think that's a mistake. That girl deserves to know how proud you are of her. Because, I know you are. I can see it in your face. And to think she wouldn't take your call…well, that's just stupid thinking, Josh. You say that like you didn't hear what she said this morning."

Josh remained quiet and Leo decided it was time to go. But, not before he said one last thing.

"Fine, you don't need to call her. Send her flowers, for God's sake!"

That caused Josh to chuckle. Flowers were never a big conversation theme with him and Donna.

"Seriously, why don't you?" – Leo stood up and picked his things. – "Just think about it. See you in the morning. Well, unless I don't spend the entire morning in make-up, that is."

Josh smiled for the first time that evening nodding to Leo.

"Good night."

Even with Leo gone, his words were still echoing in Josh's head.

"Flowers…" – he though.

He picked up the phone and asked for a number of a florist shop. He quickly dialed it, because he was afraid he will chicken out if he waits too long.

"Yeah, hi! I need to order a bouquet of flowers. Ah, yeah…put some lilies in it. You know what. Just make if very colorful….a note? Ahm, yes." – he thought for a second. "Have it say: "To Donnatella. My life started because of you as well. Congratulations." Yeah, that's it.» He gave them his credit card number and just as he was about to put down the phone he remembered something.

"Wait! Are you still here? ...No, no, the note is fine. However I have another request…yeah, about the place of the delivery. It needs to be a specific desk…Well, just take the paper out, and I will explain it to you."

AN – I know you all expected the big event, but I had to write this first. Hope you like it. LET ME KNOW:)